Forgetfulness can be precipitated by:

Memory Tests You Can Take Right Now

Here are a few memory tests that have been developed by researchers at established Universities and research centers (Harvard, for example) The tests are free but they all need a bit of information from you. Usually they just want your name and an email. Everything is kept confidential so their work won't be tarnished. If you think something is wrong with yourself or a loved one, these tests will give you a chance to find out.

Think You Can't Remember Faces?

Face blindness, or "prosopagnosia," is often accompanied by other kinds of recognition problems. Everyone has trouble remembering faces sometimes but people with prosopagnosia can't recognize people they are with often like spouses or children.

Researchers at Harvard, Cambridge and University College in London have developed an online test for face blindness. To take the test you will have to allow them to use the results in their research and you will be anonymous. Otherwise, it's free. I took it and discovered that I recognize faces better than I thought I did. Cambridge Face Memory Test

How Is Your Short-Term Memory Really?

A research group at Harvard invites anyone to test their short-term memory by taking an on-line test. They use the results for research but who you are is kept confidential. The test is fun and it feels right to help researchers. Keeping Things In Mind

How Fast Do You Think?

Here's an online test that measures the speed of your brain. You are asked to register to take the test. Memory Speed Test

Yes, the rumors are true. There is a new test for Alzheimer's Disease that you can get online and take at home. Researchers at Ohio State University have developed the test. It's called SAGE (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination).

As with all new things, there is a caution to consider. If the test results suggest cognitive impairment, it might not mean you have Alzheimer's. There could be another cause such as depression or hidden heart disease. So if, when you take the test, indications are revealed, for goodness sake head for you doctor!

Which Came First: Memory Loss or Anxiety?

Scientists are not sure whether anxiety (also called "stress") causes or results in memory loss.

Frankly, I don't believe this is an "either-or" situation. Both could certainly be true. If I thought I was losing my memories, I would be understandably worried and anxious. On the other hand, memory loss is a symptom of anxiety.

Jim Folk, President of the Anxiety Center says: "You may start something and uncharacteristically forget what you were doing soon after. You may also have difficulty remembering where you placed things, who you just called, what you just talked about, or what you were looking for or thinking about. You uncharacteristically may have difficulty remembering what you just ate, phone numbers, names, or things you recently did. Things that you would normally not forget, you now do."

Now we older people know that when we were younger and had demanding jobs, busy family lives and never enough money, we were truly stressed and always losing our car keys or sunglasses. But now we are retired, the kids have those old worries and we are supposed to be relaxed and enjoying life. So why are we anxious now?

Well anxiety is an automatic response. We don't wish to have it. So we need to learn to manage it. Take a deep breath, and make an appointment with your doctor. When the nosy reseptionist wants to know why you need the appointment, just tell her you want to have a discussion with your doctor. Go on. You won't start to feel better until you make that call.